The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has admitted crisis within the party following the just concluded primaries that produced the candidates for the 2027 elections. The party also admitted that time is running out to amicably resolve the issue. Our correspondent reports that the party on Thursday moved to arrest the growing internal dissent by inaugurating a high-profile National Reconciliation Committee, chaired by renowned political economist, Prof. Pat Utomi. The committee, tasked with harmonising a fractured party ahead of the January 2026 general elections, was unveiled Wednesday by the NDC National Chairman, Sen. Clopas Moses. Our correspondent further reports that the party faces mounting pressure to resolve disputes stemming from recent congresses and primary elections. The National Chairman of the party, Sen. Moses emphasized that the party has a narrow window to unify its ranks before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) opens the campaign floodgates on August 19. “Time is short; time is running out,” Sen. Moses told party faithful in Abuja. “We cannot waste our time and energy on individual ambition. We must all bring our best work together if we are to succeed in January.” The National Chairman acknowledged that the party is currently battling allegations of bias and financial misconduct following the selection of candidates. He warned that unresolved grievances—often amplified by social media—threaten to undermine the presidential bid of Mr. Peter Gregory Obi and his running mate, Engr. Dr. Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso. Daily Trust reports that Engr. Buba Galadima is the co-chairman of the committee while Mrs Dudu Manuga, the party’s National Women Leader, will serve as the committee’s secretary. The committee is expected to submit its preliminary findings by August 20, just one day after the commencement of official campaigns. Accepting the mandate, Prof. Utomi pledged a transparent and fair process. “Parties succeed not because they never experience disagreements,” he noted, “but because they have the wisdom to resolve them.” Galadima, the committee’s co-chairman, admitted that reconciling aggrieved members would be “a very hard nut to crack,” but insisted the committee would leave no stone unturned in restoring party cohesion. He reminded aspirants that only one individual can emerge from any contest, stating, “Only one person can fly the flag of this party at a time.” The veteran politician blamed Nigeria’s Electoral Act for fueling conflicts within opposition parties, arguing that the current framework makes peaceful primaries nearly impossible. “The process of candidate selection mandated by the Electoral Act makes it difficult for any opposition party to produce a flagbearer without rancor,” he asserted. Galadima recounted how disputes arising from CPC primaries once left him with a N150 million court judgment and years of legal battles, citing his personal ordeal as proof of the destructive consequences of unresolved internal party friction. Turning his attention to the 2027 presidential race, Galadima renewed his criticism of President Bola Tinubu, insisting that the opposition must unite behind a common objective to succeed.
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